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Why is Deaf sport needed? Why can't athletes who are deaf participate in "regular" sports programs with hearing athletes? Why aren't Deaf athletes included in the Paralympic Games? Why do the organizers of Deaf sport insist upon deaf-specific organizations and competitions? The importance of Deaf sport to Deaf culture helps to answer these questions. Deaf culture refers to a common means of communication (sign language) that provides the basis for group cohesion and identity, as well as shared experiences as minority members of a hearing society. In Deaf culture, hearing loss is viewed as a cultural identity rather than as a physical disability in need of a cure. Deaf sport plays an important role in promulgating Deaf culture. At Deaf sports events, people who are deaf have opportunities to communicate freely using sign language, to be accepted as valued members of the Deaf community, and to see other Deaf people (role models) as athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers. There are also practical reasons for maintaining separate Deaf sports events such as the Deaflympics. Communication is facilitated in part because of the shared language (sign language) and in part because accommodations such as interpreters or visual cues are more likely to be provided at Deaf sports events than at events for hearing athletes. Deaf athletes prefer Deaf sports events to disability sports events because deafness is a communication difference, not a physical disability. Also, a greater number of Deaf athletes can be accommodated at a Deaf sports event than at a multi-disability event. For further information about the rationale for Deaf sports and the importance of self-determination relative to Deaf sports, go to the CISS web site at http://www.ciss.org. Click on "about," then "public news," then look for articles by Jerald Jordan and Donalda Ammons.
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